Work-life balance vs career growth

Michael’s passion after 23 years

Urgency in getting tasks done

Jezer’s $15K scam story

Are youths really strawberries?

A recent ST-Milieu survey has found some striking similarities Gen Zs and their parents have, in the way they view their life priorities and challenges.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

In this episode, we’ll revisit the old stereotype that the younger generation has it all too good, that they’ve gone soft and are not resilient enough to withstand hardships or even hard work. 

Young adults on the other hand, often lament that their parents don’t understand them enough. But how true are any of these often-held views? 

A recent survey commissioned by The Straits Times found that Gen Zs, like their parents before them, feel disheartened and frustrated when they cannot find work.

This generational gap is also reflected in the findings of an online survey, conducted by Milieu Insight for ST. 

In October and November 2024, the poll of 800 Gen Zs between ages 16 and 27, and 600 parents of Gen Zs explored the two generations’ views on goals, stress, money, self-esteem and joblessness. The parents were asked to answer based on recollections of their views when they were in their 20s.

But there are slight differences between how they approach work and gain wealth, and we discuss this with a father-son pair in this episode. 

Lawyer Michael Han, 55, is an occasional columnist. He is joined by his son Jazer Han, 22, now an economics undergraduate at the Singapore Management University (SMU). 

Highlights (click/tap above): 

5:22 Mr Han on sacrificing work-life balance for career growth? 

10:35 Mr Han: Not about generational gaps; more like different seasons in life

14:05 Jazer on time outside of 'school and work', extra commitments, fulfilment

16:15 Jazer's view on urgency to complete tasks

26:20 How Jezer got scammed $15,000 from his savings? 

38:29 Is the younger generation really 'strawberry' or 'snowflake'? 

Read ST’s article on how Gen Zs and their parents approach work and life differently: https://str.sg/FCkq

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

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Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

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Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

A recent ST-Milieu survey has found some striking similarities Gen Zs and their parents have, in the way they view their life priorities and challenges.
Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
In this episode, we&rsquo;ll revisit the old stereotype that the younger generation has it all too good, that they&rsquo;ve gone soft and are not resilient enough to withstand hardships or even hard work.&nbsp;
Young adults on the other hand, often lament that their parents don&rsquo;t understand them enough. But how true are any of these often-held views?&nbsp;
A recent survey commissioned by The Straits Times found that Gen Zs, like their parents before them, feel disheartened and frustrated when they cannot find work.
This generational gap is also reflected in the findings of an online survey, conducted by Milieu Insight for ST.&nbsp;
In October and November 2024, the poll of 800 Gen Zs between ages 16 and 27, and 600 parents of Gen Zs explored the two generations&rsquo; views on goals, stress, money, self-esteem and joblessness. The parents were asked to answer based on recollections of their views when they were in their 20s.
But there are slight differences between how they approach work and gain wealth, and we discuss this with a father-son pair in this episode.&nbsp;
Lawyer Michael Han, 55, is an occasional columnist. He is joined by his son Jazer Han, 22, now an economics undergraduate at the Singapore Management University (SMU).&nbsp;
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
5:22 Mr Han on sacrificing work-life balance for career growth?&nbsp;
10:35 Mr Han: Not about generational gaps; more like different seasons in life
14:05 Jazer on time outside of 'school and work', extra commitments, fulfilment
16:15 Jazer's view on urgency to complete tasks
26:20 How Jezer got scammed $15,000 from his savings?&nbsp;
38:29 Is the younger generation really 'strawberry' or 'snowflake'?&nbsp;
Read ST&rsquo;s article on how Gen Zs and their parents approach work and life differently: <a href="https://str.sg/FCkq">https://str.sg/FCkq</a>
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Host: Lynda Hong (<a href="mailto:lyndahong@sph.com.sg">lyndahong@sph.com.sg</a>) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
ST Podcasts website:&nbsp;<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa">https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

A hard look at the social issues of the month in Singapore. Join ST journalists and other guests as they discuss with Lydia Wong.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Podcasters: Lynda Hong

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Podcasters: Lynda Hong
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

In Your Opinion

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Podcaster: Lynda Hong

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Podcaster: Lynda Hong
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

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